The Indian Air Force (IAF) orchestrated a poignant farewell to its iconic MiG-21 fighter jet fleet at Chandigarh Air Force Base, a ceremony steeped in nostalgia and military pride. Led by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who piloted the final sortie in a symbolic inverted 'V' formation of three MiG-21s, the event marked the decommissioning of a fleet that has been the backbone of India’s air defense for over six decades.

The ceremony was elevated by dynamic displays from the IAF’s BAe Hawk Mk132 trainers and the Surya Kiran aerobatic team, whose maneuvers painted the sky in tribute to the jet’s storied legacy. In a deeply symbolic gesture, Air Chief Marshal Singh handed over the MiG-21’s Form 700 logbook to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officially sealing the aircraft’s retirement and closing a chapter that has defined India’s aerial prowess since 1963.

Central to the ceremony was the handover of the Form 700 logbook, a document that encapsulates the technical soul of a fighter jet. Form 700 is the aircraft’s comprehensive technical log, meticulously recording every maintenance activity, in-flight issue, and system malfunction throughout its service life. This critical record, carried onboard during missions, details everything from airframe inspections and engine overhauls to hydraulic failures or avionics glitches, serving as a vital communication bridge between pilots, ground technicians, and flight engineers. It ensures real-time access to the jet’s maintenance status, enabling rapid troubleshooting and compliance with stringent airworthiness standards.

The handover of Form 700 to the Defence Minister symbolized the MiG-21’s formal removal from IAF service records, a ritual akin to retiring a warrior’s sword, signifying the end of its operational journey and the archiving of its storied contributions.

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The MiG-21’s retirement comes as the IAF grapples with a shrinking fleet—down to 30 squadrons from a sanctioned 42—amid delays in indigenous Tejas Mk1A deliveries and rising regional threats, including Pakistan’s planned acquisition of advanced Chinese jets. The phase-out, while bittersweet, paves the way for modernization, with the IAF eyeing next-generation fighters to bolster its capabilities. Preserved MiG-21s will find new homes in museums, inspiring future generations, while their legacy endures in the IAF’s ethos of courage and innovation.

As the water cannon salute arced over the tarmac and the roar of the final sortie faded, the ceremony not only honored a machine but also the pilots, technicians, and ground crews who kept it aloft, ensuring the MiG-21’s legend soars eternally in India’s skies.

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